Have we gone mad?

southie · 22-01-2009 04:01PM #1

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0121/1232474670298.html

A DONEGAL priest is blaming “overbearing political correctness” for the removal of a tabernacle in the local hospice chapel.
The Health Service Executive has confirmed a tabernacle which had been placed there has been removed as the chapel is intended as a non-denominational space.
However, Fr James Sweeney has said its removal is “disturbing” and is appealing for the tabernacle to be replaced because of the significance it has to Catholics.
“To Catholics, the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle is very consoling. We must remember that the hospice is a very important place for preparing people for their final journey, in their exit from this life,” Fr Sweeney said.
“Their faith would be very important to them and it’s one of the few things that people have got at the end of their days, praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. This removal really concerns me.
“While the hospice caters for many denominations, it’s hard to understand why a prayer room could not have been found or some other small room where the Blessed Sacrament could be reserved so that all traditions could be respected.”
Fr Sweeney said he was one of the first chaplains in the hospice when it opened and there was no issue of the tabernacle being placed there.
“I have worked in other hospitals and hospices in Dublin and elsewhere as a chaplain and differences there were very easily accommodated by having a small prayer room where the tabernacle would be kept and the Blessed Sacrament reserved,” he said.
The hospice committee said they were aware of the situation but did not feel it was appropriate for them to comment.

Its like we have to bloody apologise to everyone for everything these days. whats so wrong with having our own identity and beliefs, can anyone for one second honestly believe that this would happen in any other country on earth. the Bloody HSE should deal with more important things like the offence cause to every citizen of this country by the shambles of a health service we have, the offence caused to us when we have to lie on trollies in hallways for days on end been treated like a piece of dog crap.

Biggins · 22-01-2009 04:05PM

In that instance, there should be alternative objects/symbols allowed depending on the congregation at the time and their particular religion.

Dudess · 22-01-2009 04:06PM

Good move I say. Why can't other religions be taken into consideration? It's got nothing to do with political correctness.

And no, "we" haven't gone mad.

mike65 · 22-01-2009 04:07PM

The Health Service Executive has confirmed a tabernacle which had been placed there has been removed as the chapel is intended as a non-denominational space.

QED

Dudess · 22-01-2009 04:07PM

southie wrote: »

can anyone for one second honestly believe that this would happen in any other country on earth

It does. France is a particularly high-profile example.

Mingey · 22-01-2009 04:08PM

Dudess wrote: »

Good move I say. Why can't other religions be taken into consideration? It's got nothing to do with political correctness.

And no, "we" haven't gone mad.

Which religions? All of them?

Photi · 22-01-2009 04:10PM

To Catholics, the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle is very consoling.

What about the rest of us who find it repugnant, sanctimonious and offensive?

Biggins · 22-01-2009 04:11PM

I'd love to see the Scientology crowd use the church - what will they stick on the altar?
A life size doll of ET perhaps?

drunkmonkey · 22-01-2009 04:11PM

is Rastafarian a recoginised religion is Ireland?, the reason I ask is a Garda removed a spliff from me, I took this as total insult to my beliefs.....

tks
Bob

Nodin · 22-01-2009 04:12PM

If its a non-denominational chapel, then its a non-denominational chapel. Why did he go and put it in there? Is he going to lash up a few old-school crucifixes with Jesus covered in blood in a synagogue next?
And why would they have a room put aside for it, if they didn't think one was going to be there?

southie · 22-01-2009 04:13PM

Photi wrote: »

What about the rest of us who find it repugnant, sanctimonious and offensive?

didnt notice it said anyplace in that article that people were forced into the chapel against their will? must re read it

stovelid · 22-01-2009 04:13PM

Perhaps the church could provide terminally ill Catholics with a mini, belt tabernacle, - kinda like a bum-bag - to stash their own supply of Eucharist in?

IvyTheTerrible · 22-01-2009 04:14PM

I think it's a good move.

It's a "Prayer Room", not a Catholic Church.

Turd Ferguson · 22-01-2009 04:15PM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

is Rastafarian a recoginised religion is Ireland?, the reason I ask is a Garda removed a spliff from me, I took this as total insult to my beliefs.....

tks
Bob

No but with the results of the last census Jedi is now a recognised religion here. So they will also need a pic of Lea in her bikini in the hospital too. I'm sure that will have more of a healing power than a metal box anyday.

Mingey · 22-01-2009 04:16PM

Photi wrote: »

What about the rest of us who find it repugnant, sanctimonious and offensive?

Then I would imagine they would be avoiding the chapel.

The majority of those in hospices are old dears who are old fashioned God fearing Catholics. They worked hard in this country through the decades and paid enough taxes in their time to be looked after in whichever way they wish. Let them have their feckin tabernacle.

Turd Ferguson · 22-01-2009 04:17PM

Mingey wrote: »

Then I would imagine they would be avoiding the chapel.

The majority of those in hospices are old dears who are old fashioned God fearing Catholics. They worked hard in this country through the decades and paid enough taxes in their time to be looked after in whichever way they wish. Let them have their feckin tabernacle.

They'll be dead soon anyway so it wont be up for long

junior_apollo · 22-01-2009 04:20PM

Could you see the same being done in a muslim country for catholics?... I dont think so... when we travel to other peoples countries we respect their beliefs and do not try to impose our beliefs on those people. Why is it that the opposite happens when others come to our country?... we are expected to change our whole society for fear of offending others... they should respect our society, beliefs and structures the same as any others... totally ridiculous so tis...

Nodin · 22-01-2009 04:20PM

Mingey wrote: »

Then I would imagine they would be avoiding the chapel.

The majority of those in hospices are old dears who are old fashioned God fearing Catholics. They worked hard in this country through the decades and paid enough taxes in their time to be looked after in whichever way they wish. Let them have their feckin tabernacle.

Donegal has a large population of Protestants.

Mingey · 22-01-2009 04:21PM

Turd Ferguson wrote: »

They'll be dead soon anyway so it wont be up for long

Ed Zackery.

But the whole culture is dying out due to the sanctimonious 'celebrate multi-culturalism' brigade (who often happen to hate fordiners)

IvyTheTerrible · 22-01-2009 04:22PM

junior_apollo wrote: »

Could you see the same being done in a muslim country for catholics?... I dont think so... when we travel to other peoples countries we respect their beliefs and do not try to impose our beliefs on those people. Why is it that the opposite happens when others come to our country?... we are expected to change our whole society for fear of offending others... they should respect our society, beliefs and structures the same as any others... totally ridiculous so tis...

Sorry but that is rubbish. I am Irish but I am not a Catholic. I didn't just "come to the country".

There are plenty of Irish people who aren't religious Catholics.

"our whole society" is also my society, not just for the Catholic Irish

Photi · 22-01-2009 04:23PM

Mingey wrote: »

But the whole culture is dying out due to the sanctimonious 'celebrate multi-culturalism' brigade (who often happen to hate fordiners)

Good. About time.

drunkmonkey · 22-01-2009 04:25PM

Turd Ferguson wrote: »

Jedi is now a recognised religion here. So they will also need a pic of Lea in her bikini in the hospital too. I'm sure that will have more of a healing power than a metal box anyday.

Body of Christ or Lea in a Bikini, pretty much a no brainer really....

gabigeist · 22-01-2009 04:26PM

southie wrote: »

our own identity and beliefs

Donegal's Protestant community are probably delighted that other religions are finally being taken into account. I'm pretty sure their numbers have dwindled drastically since the 1920's when we were finally allowed to express "our own identity."
Removing tabernacles etc should even the field somewhat

Mingey · 22-01-2009 04:27PM

Photi wrote: »

Good. About time.

So we must lose all or much of our cultural identity, in order to accept others?

inforfun · 22-01-2009 04:27PM

Dudess wrote: »

It does. France is a particularly high-profile example.

And so is Holland.

partyguinness · 22-01-2009 04:27PM

Alot of moralising ****e being spewed here...

We are talking about a hospice....now I am sure everyone here knows what that is and maybe have been in a few...

Has anyone asked the actual patients what they feel?

Everyone else seems to be offering an opinion but I have heard none from the people that actually matter in all this. Prob being drowned out by all noise.

I am sure it gives a lot of comfort to patients in their final hours whatever religious symbols are there...the State v. Religion debate should be played out elsewhere.

junior_apollo · 22-01-2009 04:29PM

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

Sorry but that is rubbish. I am Irish but I am not a Catholic. I didn't just "come to the country".

There are plenty of Irish people who aren't religious Catholics.

"our whole society" is also my society, not just for the Catholic Irish

Apologies for the misunderstanding... I am not a practicing catholic either, for my sins

... my point was that the religion of irish people in majority is catholicism (be they practicing or not...) and why they should apologise and feel that they have to hide their structures and beliefs for fear of offending other religions?...

No other religion would put up with this...

Mingey · 22-01-2009 04:29PM

Nodin wrote: »

Donegal has a large population of Protestants.

Do Protestants find tabernacles offensive? (I know they don't worship them like Catholics, but they are hardly offended by a box)

Nodin · 22-01-2009 04:30PM

junior_apollo wrote: »

Apologies for the misunderstanding... I am not a practicing catholic either, for my sins ... my point was that the religion of irish people in majority is catholicism (be they practicing or not...) and why they should apologise and feel that they have to hide their structures and beliefs for fear of offending other religions?...

...

Its not a Catholic church.

Nodin · 22-01-2009 04:31PM

Mingey wrote: »

Do Protestants find tabernacles offensive? (I know they don't worship them like Catholics, but they are hardly offended by a box)

I've no idea. However its not a catholic church, so why should there be a Tabernacle in it?

IvyTheTerrible · 22-01-2009 04:31PM

junior_apollo wrote: »

Apologies for the misunderstanding... I am not a practicing catholic either, for my sins ... my point was that the religion of irish people in majority is catholicism (be they practicing or not...) and why they should apologise and feel that they have to hide their structures and beliefs for fear of offending other religions?...

No other religion would put up with this...

Nobody is asking them to apologise. The prayer room was initially a non-denominational room, which was used primarily by a Catholic chaplain. It was a later chaplain that decided to bring in the Tabernacle. So it's not like anyone was asking them to take away something that was always there.

Have we gone mad?

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